First associate dean for inclusion and diversity named in College of Engineering

Yue Qi has been named the first associate dean for inclusion and diversity, or ADID, in the College of Engineering at Michigan State University.

In her role as ADID, Qi will spearhead new diversity and inclusion initiatives within the college, push existing programs forward and oversee faculty development activities while coordinating college inclusion and diversity activities with other MSU units.

“Yue is a well-regarded teacher and currently serves as graduate director for the materials science program,” said College of Engineering Dean Leo Kempel. “She has been active in numerous programs to support women and to enhance multi-cultural awareness in science and engineering at levels ranging from K-12 to other researchers and faculty members.”

Qi, a professor of chemical engineering and materials science, is a long-time advocate of recruiting and retaining diverse talent in science, technology, engineering and math. She has assisted with Girl Scouts and girls in engineering activities at MSU and other institutions, including "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day,” Spartan Girls in Engineering summer camp and the Sally Ride Science Festival for Girls.

“The MSU College of Engineering is a very diverse community of faculty, staff and students coming from around 60 countries and every state in the U.S.,” she said. “Our goal is to let everyone feel respected, supported and given equal opportunity to achieve their dreams.”

Qi said diversity is at the core of innovation for engineers.

“Supporting diversity and inclusion allows us to better serve our society,” Qi said. “The college has made dramatic efforts and progress to increase the number of women and under-represented minority students in engineering, however we are still far from ideal. We need everyone’s help to make our college one of the top engineering programs in the country in its approach to inclusion and diversity.”

Qi received her doctorate in materials science, with a minor in computer science, in 2001 from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

She joined Michigan State University in 2013 after 12 years as a research scientist at General Motors. At GM, she developed award-winning multi-scale materials models to connect atomistic simulations with engineering solutions. Since joining MSU, she has led a vigorously funded and highly respected research program on computational materials science, with a focus on batteries and fuel cells.

MSU will host 72 high school teams in Jenison Field House on Sunday, Feb. 24, for the 2019 Michigan VEX Robotics State Championships. Around 500 of Michigan's top STEM high school students will participate.